By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
Monrovia: The Liberia Standards Authority has announced a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting uncertified weighing scales and commercial gas stations as part of efforts to promote fair trade, consumer protection, and healthcare safety across Liberia.
The announcement was made by Hon. Weleegbeh Nicholas Williams, Head of the Authority’s Metrology Department, today, Thursday, May 21, 2026, during the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing. Speaking on behalf of the LiSA Director General, Mr. Williams said the initiative forms part of activities marking World Metrology Day, observed on May 20, and aims to emphasize the importance of accurate and reliable measurements in protecting consumers and supporting national development.
According to him, LiSA inspectors will begin a nationwide verification and certification exercise from June through July 2026. Under the exercise, all weighing and measuring instruments used for trade must undergo mandatory verification. Williams warned that any scale or measuring device not certified within the two months will be banned from commercial use and seized by inspectors.
He further disclosed that commercial gas stations in Monrovia will also undergo strict audits and certification processes to ensure consumers receive the exact quantity of fuel they pay for. “Metrology is not just the act of measuring, but the science that ensures measurements are correct, consistent, and reliable,” Williams stated.
He explained that accurate measurements are critical in public healthcare, agriculture, and commercial trade. In the health sector, Williams noted that medical decisions often depend on accurate readings from instruments used to measure temperature, blood pressure, and body weight, warning that faulty equipment can lead to incorrect diagnoses and preventable deaths.
He also stressed the importance of accurate scales in agricultural trade, particularly for cocoa farmers and other producers who rely on precise measurements to receive fair market value for their goods. Additionally, he said consumers must have confidence that packaged commodities such as rice, cement, flour, sugar, vegetable oil, paint, and beverages meet their stated weight and volume.
Meanwhile, Williams announced several regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening Liberia’s national quality infrastructure.
He revealed that LISA is partnering with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to verify the weight and volume of pre-packaged commodities sold on the Liberian market. LiSA also plans to introduce a “type approval scheme” intended to prevent the importation of substandard measuring instruments into the country.
Inspector William narrates other measures which include the licensing of local and international private calibration firms operating in Liberia, as well as collaboration with the Ministry of Health to enforce mandatory calibration standards for clinical medical equipment. The Inspector Williams at the same time urged consumers to remain vigilant by checking for official LiSA certification stickers and permits on commercial weighing and measuring devices before conducting transactions.
The Liberia Standards Authority was established to promote standardization, quality assurance, and consumer protection, the Liberia Standards Authority is responsible for ensuring that goods, services, and measurements across Liberia meet approved national and international standards. The institution plays a key role in protecting consumers from unfair trade practices and substandard products while supporting economic growth and public safety.
